My Renal Life: I Know It, I Live It

By Gloria Ann Jeff-Moore

In these pages I share my endurance of trials and tribulations coping with life on dialysis, I have the polycystic kidney disease. I also talk about the importance of following this very complex renal diet and ways to manage continued good health with this diet and medication. Also check out Glos renal friendly kitchen section of the book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 9, 2009
• ISBN: 9781465326119

Gloria Ann Jeff-Moore

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Gloria Ann Jeff-Moore, but you could call me Glo. I have the polycystic kidney disease, which developed into end stage renal disease in 1990, I have been on dialysis two decades. I had a ten year run with hem dialysis, but due to numerous AV Grafts and repairs, I had to eventually transition to peritoneal dialysis, in which I am currently towards completion of my tenth year. I received the blessing of a cadaver back in 1993, but it failed in four months, due to complications with anti-rejection medication. Up until 2009, I accepted the fact that I may never receive the blessing of cadaver kidney, because of my obvious high levels of antibodies, but through my faith and belief in him, bringing about the brilliant creation of IVIG, I have a better chance of being a candidate once again for a cadaver kidney. I am currently going through the preparation for this procedure, and I have so much hope now, because of this procedure. I am married to a 20 year Navy veteran, I have a daughter, (Tiffany Moore), who is in her junior year of college in the pre-med program, to someday become a vascular surgeon. My stepson, (Rashaan Moore), graduated 2007 from Sacramento State University with a BS in Communication. I reside in Fairfield, California, (a suburb in the bay area). I became a first time author of “My Renal Life” (I know it, I live it), in 2009, and now embarking on the publication of this second book “My Twenty Year Journey in the Dialysis with PKD”.

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Copyright © 2009 by Gloria Ann Jeff-Moore.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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Contents

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Living with Kidney Disease and Dialysis

Adjusting to the Dialysis World

What is Albumin?

Sodium

What is Potassium?

What is Glucose?

Type 2 Diabetes—What is it?

What is Phosphorus?

What is Calcium?

What is PTH?

Cholesterol

What is Carbohydrates?

Fiber

What is Iron?

Blood Pressure—

(The Highs and Lows)

Let’s Talk Serious About Medication

Suggested Meal Plan for A Dialysis Patient’s Renal Diet

Choices—(For Treatment)

Foreword

About the Author

WELCOME TO GLO’S

RENAL FRIENDLY

KITCHEN

Welcome to Glo’s Renal Friendly Kitchen

BREAKFAST CHOICES

Easy French Toast

Fruit and Oat Pancakes

Quiche w/ Herbs & Vegetables

Scrambled Eggs w/ Smoked Salmon Creole/Cajun Style

Lavonne’s Fried Green Tomatoes

PASTA DISHES

Orzo w/ Vegetables & Herbs

Easy to Prepare Couscous

Three Cheese Tortellini w/

Basil Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti w/ Shrimp & Mushrooms Cajun Style

Creamy Penne w/ Crawfish & Vegetable Medley

Easy Clam Linguine

Pasta Primavera Salad w/ Tofu

Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine

MAIN FARE

Herb Roasted Chicken

Chicken Pepper Rice w/ Eggplant

Oven Fried Chicken

Smothered Lemon Chicken

BEEF

Ground Turkey Meat Loaf

Beef Steak w/ Vegetables

Veal Chops w/ Mushroom Gravy

SEAFOOD

Roast Salmon w/ Balsamic Vingerette Sauce

Asparagus w/ Mushroom Stir-Fry

Salmon Casserole

Tomato/ Vegetable Soup w/ Oxtails

Smothered Oxtails

Lamb Skewers w/ Dilled Lemon Sauce

CREOLE DISHES

Creole Shrimp-Fried Rice

Cajun Fillet of Sole with White Butter Sauce

Okra Creole

My Mom’s Seafood Jambalaya

Aunt Beulah’s Southern Fried Okra

Creole Seafood Gumbo

Oyster & Shrimp Po Boy

Shrimp Creole

On The Bayou Dirty Rice Dressing

SANDWICHES

Lunch Time Crab Salad On Croissants

Hot Chicken Salad

Grilled Portobellos Burger with Holladaise Sauce

Lunch Time Crostini

SIDE DISHES—(ACCOMPANIMENTS)

Green Vegetables Marinated in Red Wine Vinaigrette

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Louisiana Style Collard Greens

Glo’s Rosemary Roasted Vegetable Assortment

Seasoned Baked Potatoes

Southern Braised Cabbage

Stuffed Peppers

Roasted Asparagus

Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes With Chives

Glazed Minted Orange Carrots

Garlic Green Beans With A Bite

SALAD RECIPES

Chayote Salad w/ Fennel

Radicchio Salad

Fennel Celery Salad

Tropical Fruit Salad w/ Cool Fruit Vinegar Dressing

Kumquat Salad

Lobster Salad w/ Shrimp Cocktail Dressing

Cucumber Onion Salad

HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSINGS, SAUCES, SALSA, & MEAT TOPPERS

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

Homemade Sauce #1

Homemade Sauce #2

Homemade Sauce #3 (Herbal)

Homemade Sauce #4

Homemade Sauce #5

Salsa #1

Salsa #2

Meat Topper #1

Meat Topper #2

Meat Topper #3

Meat Topper #4

APPETIZERS

Fried Zucchini

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

New Orleans Seafood Pastries

Bayou Terrebonne Crab Cakes

Across The Bayou Salmon Croquettes

Kickin Shrimp Stuffed Deviled Eggs

Dessert Recipes

Southern Style Peach Cobbler

Cherry Crunch

Macaroons

Grilled Peaches with Raspberry Pureee

Keylime Pie

High Protein Gelatin

Bread Crumb Ideas

The Need A List:

Garlic Bread

Zucchini Bread

Downhome Cornbread

BONUS RECIPE:

Potato Clam Chowder

HOMEMADE HIGH PROTEIN DRINKS

Sorbet Smoothie

Fruit Smoothie Recipe

High Protein Smoothie

Peach High-Protein Fruit Smoothie

DEDICATION

First, I’d like to dedicate this book to my father, the late Mr. Lionel Jeff, who instilled in me the inspiration to write. My dad enjoyed writing. He use to prepare neighbor’s taxes, and even though he was quite good at it, they would always commend him on how neat and accurate their taxes were prepared. I truly think if he would have lived a longer life, he would have written a book about his life on home dialysis, as well as how it affected his personal life. I really think I was channeled by him to start a journal and relay to others what I know and have endured coping with life on dialysis. I know in my heart my dad would be so proud of me for writing this book. I remember back in the day, he would talk to me for hours about his treatment and how this disease has plagued the Jeff family. I guess in so many words, he was preparing me for what could become a part of my life in the future.

Second, my late uncle, Leroy Jeff, who was there for me with wisdom and insight of what I actually had to face undergoing dialysis treatment for the first time, and also he was my confident through the ordeal of undergoing our very first kidney transplants together (actually we had them only a few weeks apart) in 1993. I’ll never forget him for his encouraging words and the easing of my tension the night before my initial day of hemo dialysis treatment. I miss them both so very much, they are always in my heart and thoughts. They hold a strong connection to me, mainly because of our family history with the dealings of the poly cystic kidney disease. I feel that they are with me all the time.

Acknowledgement

First, I want to thank my husband, Steven Moore, for his love, support and devotion for emotionally keeping me in good faith to be able to endure this part of my life. And for all his encouraging words that helped me to have the confidence to finish this book.

My daughter, Tiffany Bianca, for being such a strong force during my early days of dialysis, she was right there with me, continuing to be her very bubbly self, and comforting me to be so little with so much understanding. Always worried about me saying, Mommie you’ll get better. She is what kept me strong through all this. I remember when she was born and such a fragile little life at 1 lb. 10 oz. And so very strong. Family and friends would visit her in the infant special care unit, and come back and tell me that my baby was the only baby moving around, while most of the other babies were getting their sleep on. This made me so proud. That is why I gave her the middle name Migani, which means strong fighter in Swahili. I’m so very proud of her, she’s simply amazing. Currently she is attending college in the pre-med program.

My mom, Rose Dell Jeff, for her spiritual words, wisdom and instilling in me the courage, belief and faith to face this part of my life. She would always tell me you got to have faith and belief, and everything will work out for you. I never quite understood what this all meant in the early days? But I do understand now that just like she said life has challenges that we all must face sometime in our life. And even though from time to time you will have pain that you think you can’t bare, just remember you will never suffer as much as Jesus did. Thank you! Rosie (Mom) Smile.

I would also like to send a shout out to my cousin, William Muzzall, who from the kindness of his warm and generous heart, wanted to donate his kidney from the very early days I began hemo dialysis. Even though things didn’t work out, I love him like a brother. In so many words, he’s the brother that I never had.

My cousin, Carol, for her thoughtful call to wish me luck on my first day of treatment and the talks about what she witness her mom was going through coping with kidney disease and dialysis, those talks helped me a lot in the early days of my transition to a life in the Renal World.

My aunt, the late Audrey Simpson, who told me if she could go through this, she knows that I’m strong enough to get through this too. It’s not as bad as you think.

Dr. John Weaver, former—Head Nephrologist of BMA Oakland Dialysis Unit—for making my transition easier from the life without dialysis to the life with dialysis.

The late Andy—(a veteran hemo dialysis patient that made his acquaintances to me on my initial day of hemo dialysis treatment). For his good advice on diet and tips on how to cope with dialysis. I’ll never forget his words, don’t eat the way that chart is set up, if you do, you may become a 98 pound weakling. Girl, you can eat everything you use to, but just eat whatever in moderation, just make sensible food choices and learn everything you can about this renal diet. And I took everything that he told me seriously, because this man was in his seventies, and had been on dialysis for over 18 years when I started. I thought to myself, I’d better listen to what he has to say, because if he is still kicking at that age, then he must be doing something right. (laugh)

The late Donna—(a five year veteran patient of the hemo unit, when I first began treatment, whom I also met on my very first day). I’ll never forget her for breaking the ice sort to speak, when I was on pins and needles sitting in the waiting room of the unit my very first day of hemo treatment, and she introduced herself and began telling me about starting my initial dialysis treatment, what to expect?. It was comforting to me, because she was around my age, so I didn’t feel alone. And even though she was a diabetic and I wasn’t, I learned a lot from her about the dialysis life in general, but I also was enlightened about her struggle with diabetes and that she had it a lot harder than I did, I felt at that point, that it wasn’t so bad to have the poly cystic kidney disease. The one thing I realized was that we all had different reasons why we had to have regular hemo dialysis treatments to sustain our lives, for instance, high blood pressure, diabetes, or the poly cystic kidney disease in which I have. But what it all boiled down to is that we all needed to follow a strict renal diet. That is one reason why I decided to put this book together, as a reference for people who are slowly approaching the end stage renal disease, actually when I was told that I would have to start hemo dialysis treatment in a matter of months, I searched libraries and bookstores for a book exactly like this one (but I couldn’t locate not one) that I’ve written here, with all the years of literature and pamphlets that I’ve read and basically became very knowledgeable about, I felt being truly informed of the dialysis life, is the key to managing it. Learning your meds, and how to take them, and also becoming more familiar with the effects of the medication, is also a plus in managing your kidney disease. Remember in between hemo treatments, and in the case of the peritoneal dialysis patient’s everyday treatment, is very important management of the renal diet. It’s in so many words, a dialysis patients job to manage end stage renal disease between treatments, I believe if you do your part, (to the best of your ability), your hemo treatments can go smoothly most of the time, but just remember we are still human, and from time to time we may not be that model patient, (we may slip).

Introduction

With the Internet spilling over with an abundance of information and books written by a numerous number of physicians, nurses & dietitians, these days you could refer to the internet for information on kidney disease and dialysis, but in my opinion, I think you can be better informed and enlightened about the renal world from an actual veteran dialysis patient, (like myself). Even if you start a dialysis treatment you don’t learn the drama behind kidney disease and dialysis treatment in the beginning. It takes time, first and foremost, dialysis isn’t a cure for your failing kidneys. However, hemo dialysis treatment does clean your blood and removes excess fluid (somewhat like normal kidneys do), but it also removes needed minerals that your body needs, and it doesn’t balance the phosphorus and calcium in your body. So you’ll have to do some work between hemo treatments or if you are peritoneal dialysis patients,